Plot: You only saw him from afar – Oikawa Tooru. He’s just perfect. He’s so kind to his fans, so hardworking, so ambitious. So unreachable. You’re fine with that though. Seeing him around was enough for you. You count yourself lucky that you were able to talk to him one time before graduation. But when university started, he was there waiting for you, and in his hand was the letter you never intended to send.
Yamaguchi is in complete and utter awe of his chubby girlfriend. "H- how is she so pretty? And how can she just... do everything so perfect?" Tsukishima's response over the phone is dull as always, but he can't deny the way his heart warms at his best friends words. "You really love her, huh?" Yamaguchi's reply is instantaneous. "More than anything." And it's true. He loves her more than anything. More than his sun, more than his moon. More than all of the stars in the sky. More than the birds that sing on his doorstep. More than the trees in the wind. More than all the flowers in the world. More than anything. A life of just her, he thinks, is not the life he deserves, but the only life he could ever want.
[ 22:37 ] your back hurt, your shoulders hurt, your eyes hurt, and the word document staring right back at you was taunting you with the lack of words. the yellow glow of your desk lamp was the only thing illuminating the dark room that you shared with your boyfriend.
"y/n," he softly called out from where he was in bed. your strangled hum became that of a tired whine. twisting your body to meet his figure, you heard rustling of the covers and he was scooting over to be closer to you. "come back to bed."
"but i've got this stupid essay due . . ."
"not for another three days, right?" your lips pressed into a thin line. opening your mouth to protest, his husky, sleep-ridden voice had however stolen your attention. "come back to bed with me."
your shoulders drooped. e/c eyes shift back to the laptop screen.
"please?" his voice was so sweet—laced with honey, and so warm like a hot cup of tea—and who were you to say no to the love of your life?
were your eyes playing tricks on you? you thought you had seen the hint of a smile grace his handsome features. with a begrudging sigh, you closed and saved the document twice despite barely having typed another chapter.
"c'mere, angel." just like that, you had found yourself in kiyoomi's arms, wrapped in a warm embrace like no other. "you worked well." he pressed his lips against your forehead, the ghost of a smile making its presence known before disappearing. maybe taking a break wouldn't be so bad, after all.
❀ genre : angst, angst, more angst and a sprinkle of fluff
❀ wc: 1533
“I know I shouldn’t be here.”
“Then why are you here?”
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You refused to believe it.
Anybody but him.
He couldn’t possibly do this to you could he? Sora must have mistaken him for someone else right? Or who knows, he’s been getting a lot of attention from the press nowadays, maybe a hungry paparazzi made an edit for him. With the technology today it wasn’t completely out of the question right?
You couldn’t even listen to your own thoughts because a part of you knew that you were simply trying to delude yourself by coming up with these justifications. You knew that no one could truly mistake him for someone else, he towered over everyone else and had an overwhelming presence, besides Sora had 20/20 vision. Paparazzi? That’s impossible because he was wearing the clothes that he had FaceTimed you in an hour ago, no matter how good you are it would be impossible for paparazzi to edit such a realistic picture within an hour and even more impossible for Sora to get hands on it before it was posted on social media.
You had always prided yourself in being rational, so why was it that right now you wanted to be anything but that?
Being rational meant accepting the fact that your boyfriend, who you loved and adored and had been with since your second year of high school, had his hands entwined with a stranger.
Being rational meant accepting that the ease in which he was doing this in a public setting meant that it wasn’t the first time.
Being rational meant that you had to acknowledge that he couldn’t possibly be drunk because he refuses to drink for a week before a match, there have never been any exceptions and he probably wasn’t going to start now.
Being rational meant that you couldn’t be in denial anymore.
Being rational meant that Wakatoshi Ushijima, the last person you had expected to hurt you, was cheating on you. And from the looks of it, it probably was not the first time he was doing this.
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“Ushijima-san, you should go home.” the feelings that you thought you had overcome, the betrayal, the grief, the anger and the hatred you felt for yourself for so long came back crashing on you as you looked at the drunk man. At first glance one couldn’t possibly tell that he was drunk, but you had known him for far too long to not recognise his intoxicated state.
“You used to call me Toshi, please call me that again.”
“Ushijima-san,” you were clutching onto your apartment door so hard that you wondered if you would bleed today, “Do you have someone who can pick you up?”
It was four in the morning and you had been sitting in the same position for the past hour. Prior to that you were far too numb to realise your own emotions as you mindlessly and with a sense of monotony packed your bag.
You sat down on the couch, the first piece of furniture that you had bought with Wakatoshi when you moved in with him, the once beige sofa was stained and had threads coming out of it’s upholstered ends but you never did have the heart to throw it away.
There was a sense of dread that settled at the pit of your stomach as you processed your own thoughts. Were you going to remain oblivious to Wakatoshi doing this had Sora’s friend not sent her those pictures? Was he going to keep the wool over your eyes as you planned for a future with him? What if you two had kids at some point, would he have continued to do this?
The fact that he seemed so normal and nonchalant about him cheating was the thing that hurt you. It would make you a liar if you said that the act of cheating itself didn’t hurt but you could’ve dealt with that pain easier if he had been the one to tell you. But to have him lie to you for god knows how long, and see you plan your suburban fantasy with him was humiliating.
You heard the click of the door and straightened your back, he may have hurt you but you will not give him the satisfaction or ego boost by crying over him.
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“Please let go of me Ushijima-san.” his grip on the long sleeves of the hoodie you were wearing wasn’t strong, it was similar to the grip a mother would tell her child to practice so that they wouldn’t get separated. You didn’t know how long you could keep up the indifferent facade. You didn’t want him to see you be vulnerable, not back then and certainly not now.
“You used to wear my hoodies too y/n, why did you stop? I always liked seeing you be swallowed up by them.” Ushijima wasn’t a clingy drunk, he was simply a person who exaggerated his pre-existent qualities. He became more blunt, if that was even possible and he always acted on the first thought that popped into his mind.
“Because we have nothing to do with each other anymore, Ushijima-san.”
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“You’re up?” his tone was neutral like it always was, no underlying nervousness, no guilt that you could sense, “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, I’m leaving Wakatoshi.” you wondered how your tone sounded so firm and sincere when you felt like you were breaking apart inside.
“Ah I see, is everything alright?” there was a time when you found him taking everything into a literal sense endearing, now you just wanted to kill him.
“Everything is just dandy, you would know wouldn’t you? After all, you just got laid.” You wondered if it was normal to feel smug as you witnessed the sense of dread, shame and guilt well up in his demeanour, “I just want to know, how long has this been going for?”
He knew better than to lie to you but at least he had the decency to not meet your eyes as shame manifested and bloomed within him, “Around eight months.”
“Eight months,” you mulled over it for a moment when realisation struck you, “That was when you had gone with the team to Osaka right? For a retreat.”
“Yes.”
“I see.” you released a soft sigh, you would cry, you were going to bawl your eyes out as soon as you got into the cab that you had booked for yourself, the one who was definitely going to charge extra for having to wait for so long. You would probably cry for days over the fact that eight months ago, when he had missed out on your anniversary and you had not been worried about it because you had been together for far too long to worry about stuff like that, he had probably been balls deep into someone else.
“Ushijima,” his surname tasted foreign on your tongue as you had not addressed him with that in far too long, “I want you to not talk or say anything else. I’m leaving and by that I mean that I’m leaving you. I wish you luck in your future endeavours and may you forever rot in hell.”
“Y/n,” he called out as you grabbed your things to leave, “For what it’s worth, I am sorry.”
“You know something?” you smiled at him, the bitter and hate filled smile that you gave him made his heart ache, “I think that’s the first time I’ve recognised a lie of yours. Kudos to me.”
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“The cab is here Ushijima-san, please get in and leave. I have already told them your address.”
“Why?” He slurred as he was helped by the driver to get into the car, “Why can’t it be our address anymore? Please come back. I miss you y/n.”
You smiled again, the same bitter smile that you had given to him while you were parting two years ago but much less hateful, “Ushijima-san, kindly get the fuck away from me and never try to contact me again. If you show up at my place again I will be forced to take legal
You straightened your back once again as you walked into your apartment.
The pain of him doing what he had done still haunted you, after all, can someone ever truly get over being betrayed by the person they trusted the most? But you could happily say that while the pain still existed, it had reduced into a dull throb.
“Hey babe, who was at the door?”
You couldn’t help but smile at your boyfriend who had his hair in foils waiting for the dye to set in and a face coated with a green face mask, “Oh it was just Ushijima.”
“Oh okay,” Atsumu turned to go back into the washroom, before his mind processed your words causing him to snap his head at you, “WAIT WHAT?”
You couldn’t help but laugh as you walked towards him and pulled him into a soft kiss, trying to ignore the green face mask which had undoubtedly transferred a little onto your own skin, “You’re annoying as hell but I love you so much.”
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special shoutout to @samuthots cause i got the prompt list from her and that is what inspired this fic.
Summary: Two little friends have always desired one thing: to end up as siblings. So when the chance presented itself after a finalized divorce, who were they to decline such an opportunity to finally bring their parents together?
Pairings: Bokuto Kōtarō x f!Reader
Word Count: 4453
Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Mentions of divorce, cheating, cussing
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this series. Part of the @babythotshq Dearest Daddy Collab
Tags: open (send me an ask to be added!)
January 5, 2026
Jess watches her daughter through her laptop screen, the little girl has been quiet for about five minutes and she looks worried which makes her mother want to reach through the screen and comfort her.
“Seiko, baby, what’s bothering you?”
She sighs, swinging her feet back and forth. Ever since Misaki’s birthday something’s been on her mind, but she’s been too afraid to ask her dad or her mom. Usually Seiko would just say what was on her mind, ask whatever questions she had that popped into her head, but this was different, her dad and Y/N whispered when they talked and stopped when her or Haruki came into the room.
“Nothing, Mama.”
“It makes Mama sad when you’re upset.” Jess pokes out her bottom lip which gets a giggle from Seiko.
“Daddy said he made that face up!”
“Oh, he did? That sounds like Daddy.”
Seiko smiles a little, “can I ask you something, Mommy?”
Her sweet and low tone melts Jess’ heart as she gives her daughter a smile. “Of course baby girl.”
“What’s a divorce?”
Jess sucks in a quick breath, trying to decide how best to approach it while also curious as to where the subject even came up.
“Well, it’s when a mom and dad stop living together.”
“Why?”
“Sometimes it’s because they may be fighting a lot.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes people stop getting along.”
“Oh.” Seiko starts wringing her hands again. “I heard Haruki ask Daddy about it. Does that mean they don’t love him anymore?”
“No baby. Y/N and Youta love Haruki very much, just like Mommy and Daddy love you. Divorce is a grownup thing, but it has nothing to do with Haruki.”
Her golden eyes start shining, filling with tears. “Promise, Mama? I don’t like Haruki sad.”
“I promise. Can you go get Daddy?”
Seiko bounces out of the chair, quickly returning to her usual energetic self as she runs out of the room, shouting for her dad. Jess laughs when Bo walks into the room, carrying their daughter upside down as she squeals.
“Daddy put me down!”
“If you say so.” He acts like he’s going to drop her which only makes her start to squeal louder before he finally sits her down on the floor.
“Mommy wants you. I think you’re in trouble.”
Bo looks directly at Jess with a puzzled expression before she shakes her head. Seiko giggles before running up to the laptop.
“Bye Mommy!” She leans forwards, kissing the screen. “I love you!”
“I love you too baby girl! I’ll talk to you tomorrow!” She waves as Seiko runs into her room, leaving her parents alone.
“You look radiant as ever, Jess.”
She blushes, “you, as handsome as ever Bo.”
“Seiko said I was in trouble.”
“You are. How dare you not tell me about Y/N and Youta’s divorce.” She shakes her head, quickly checking her phone after it pings, Bo catches the way she bites her lip as she smiles at whatever she’s reading.
“I didn’t know you were so invested in their marriage.”
“I’m not, but I am invested in the happiness of my baby daddy.” She smiles wide, knowing Bo doesn’t really care for that term, that it makes him feel cheap, but she can’t let a teasing moment pass them by
“I’m not happy about it.”
“Maybe not directly, but it does leave Y/N open for new ventures. New possibilities. New relationship with an old friend, perhaps?”
“Jess! The papers aren’t even signed.” It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t briefly, very briefly, crossed his mind. A chance to finally tell you how he felt, but just like back in high school, the timing was all wrong.
She repeats what he said, mocking him which makes him roll his eyes. “Well either you can tell her or I will.”
“You wouldn’t.” Bo narrows his eyes at her and she mimics the expression.
“Do you really want to test that theory?”
There’s no doubt in Bo’s mind that Jess would actually do it which slightly worries him. He knows her better than himself most days and that she only has the purest intentions when it comes to him, it was something that he saw a lot in Seiko too. Even if there was a chance for him, he knows he has to tread lightly since it’s not just you he has to worry about but also Haruki and somewhere in there Youta counts too.
“Just promise me you won’t wait forever?” She tilts her head with a soft smile on her face. It’s the same one Seiko makes when she first wakes up and Bo feels a tug on his heart. “Even the knight deserves happiness in the fairy tales.”
“I promise. Just want to make sure the timing’s right.”
* *
Mid-April – 2010
Bokuto had realized his feelings for you on a seemingly random day after the first volleyball practice of your second year. He was thrilled when he heard that a first year named Akaashi Keiji was a setter, but the first person that he wanted to tell wasn’t there: you.
He had a few crushes before this, but he could tell this time it was different. The only downside to this realization was that now he found himself nervous to be around you alone. Before it didn’t bother him to sit next to you, shoulders brushing against each other’s, but now he opted for a seat across from you and if he had to sit next to you, his face was red the whole time. Then came the struggle between telling you or not telling you, both sides had a plus and negative.
Telling you meant you had the chance to share his feelings.
Not telling you meant he could keep you as a friend.
Telling you meant you could reject his feelings.
Not telling you meant you two would only be friends.
And of course, the one person who Bo would normally go to when he needed serious advice was you, but you were the one person who couldn’t help him with this one.
**
“Yukippe!” He called out to the second-year manager at the end of practice.
“Ko-chan!” She smiled as she turned to face him. She raised an eyebrow at his demeanor, he was chewing the inside of his cheek while nervously shifting weight between his feet.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Which class?” She put a hand on her hip, a small smirk on her face.
“Huh?”
“You need notes, right?”
“Oh, no.” He shook his head, “It’s uhm…I need advice.”
Her eyes widened, grabbing his hand she dragged him over to the bleachers, patting the stop next to her for him to sit. “Advice about what?”
“Well I think I like someone…”
She cut him off, “Is it Y/N? Tell me it’s Y/N!”
He wanted to deny it, but if she guessed that easily, obviously he wasn’t good at hiding his feelings. Or it could have just been you’re the only person he really hangs out with outside of the volleyball team. But if it was obvious, had you picked up on it? Or was that a sign you didn’t like him back?
“If it’s that obvious how come she didn’t already notice?” He sighed, shoulders dropping.
“She could just be shy. You two are really close, maybe she’s just nervous. Or she could want you to make the first move, some girls like that.” Yukie shrugged.
“What if I tell her and it ruins our friendship?”
“But what if you tell her and you have a really great relationship?” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “you can’t be in the game if you just stand on the sidelines, right?”
* *
The first time Bo went to confess he had practiced his small speech all night, not falling asleep until close to 2:45am. He even asked one of his sisters to iron his uniform in exchange for doing the dishes all week and made sure he left a bit earlier. If there was a pre-confession checklist, he had all the boxes checked and ready to go. It was all planned, he wanted to tell you his feelings as soon as he saw you, but he also didn’t want it to distract you from classes, you were very serious about getting into a good university. So as much as he hated to wait, he held out until the end of the day, right before practice.
He had told you to meet him at your locker after your last class and he pepped up when he got a quick glimpse of you waiting there for him. Taking one last deep breath, he continued to walk towards you until he saw something that brought him to a complete halt. You throw your arms around some guy he doesn’t recall seeing around Fukurōdani Academy, but to be fair that wasn’t saying much. He didn’t really keep up with people who weren’t in his class or on the volleyball team. He tried to hold on to the confidence he had all day, but it was shattered when you waved him over, introducing whoever the guy was as your boyfriend.
That’s how Bokuto spent all of his second year and most of his third year, watching you get into a relationship with what felt like everyone but him. He’d smile when you introduced the newest guy who confessed, whisper how sorry he was when you came to him crying when the relationship inevitably ended, help you pick up all the pieces. He became the one you could turn to who didn’t have an ulterior motive, the one who was just there for you without you even asking him to be.
Then after Bo felt he had waited long enough, that you were in a good place after the break-up, he’d get ready to confess only to have it shot down by you introducing him to the guy who managed to confess a day or so before he had the confidence to. And the cycle just continued, you got in a relationship, broke up, Bo went to confess, you already had a new guy, leaving Bokuto’s self-esteem to slowly be chipped away.
* *
February – 2012
“Bokuto-san, you should really say something to Y/N.” Akaashi said, helping the ace pick up a few stray volleyballs from their extra spiking practice.
The ace just shrugged, he had realized that it had been a while since your last break up and you hadn’t been acting like you were in a new relationship like you usually did. But for longer than he’d care to admit, he’d held on so tightly to his feelings that he wondered if he could even let them go.
“I’ll support whatever you decide, but I’d hate for you to regret not telling her years from now.” Akaashi gave Bokuto a small pat on the shoulder before he headed for the locker room.
**
March – 2012
Bokuto took a deep breath and smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt. Today was the day, he was finally going to confess his feelings for you. He had it all planned out, with Akaashi’s help of course. He had bought the small owl keychain you had said you liked last weekend when out shopping.
His heart fluttered when he heard your laugh and his pace increased even though his legs felt like they’d give out at any moment. He swallowed thickly, the heaviness of his nerves filling his chest with each step he took. The butterflies in his stomach multiplied making him feel a slight wave of nausea when he finally sees your face. You jumped up from the bench you’ve been sitting on, waving him over eagerly with a huge smile on your face. Something about this time felt right to Bo and he dug into his pocket, tightly holding on to the keychain.
“Bo!” You throw your arms around him and he let the floral scent of your perfume calm him.
“Y/N.” He cleared his throat, “I want to tell you something.”
“Can I tell you something first?” You smiled at him and gave him a small pout which he knows he can’t refuse. How could he ever say no to you?
“Of course.” What was a few more minutes?
“I got into Kyoto University!” You started to jump up and down, hugging him once again.
“Y/N, that’s awesome! I’m so proud of you!” The two of you sat down on the bench, knees slightly touched when you turned a bit to the side to face him.
“Thank you!” You let out a breath, “it might sound odd, but I’m glad to be going to university single. No distractions, I can just focus on me and my degree.”
You had started to ramble about the course catalog and the two different majors you were torn between, but Bo didn’t hear any of it. Your words repeated on a loop in his mind, breaking his confidence and maybe even a little of his heart. He wanted to get up and just go home, skip practice, he didn’t care about Nationals right now. Once again, he was too late, but for some reason this time felt more permanent.
“Bo! Bo!” You called out, “what did you want to tell me?”
When he looked up at you, you had that signature smile on your face, the one he always looked for on a bad day or the same one Akaashi would point out when he hit a slump during a game and it broke his heart.
“Nothing. Oh wait,” he stood up, pulling the keychain out of his pocket. “I just wanted to give you this.”
Your eyes widened and you squealed when the owl keychain was placed in your hand. You had briefly mentioned you liked it while the two of you walked past the small shop. To be fair you weren’t sure he had even heard you, but you weren’t surprised, Bo always came through. You pressed yourself up on your tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his cheek, thanking him over and over for the gift.
At that moment, Bokuto wasn’t sure which had hurt him more. Coming to confess to you, just to see someone had beat him to it or coming to confess just to hear you say you didn’t want a boyfriend. Each time had taken a toll on him, each time carrying the heavy weight of rejection, but this time Bo knew it would be the last time because he couldn’t take that pain anymore.
* *
January 13, 2026
“Let’s go to the swings, Hakkun!” Seiko grabs the boy and drags him across the playground.
“No. I don’t want to!” He tugs his arm away from her which causes her to stop and look at him. Haruki didn’t normally act like that, usually he just went along with whatever she wanted to do, but lately he’d been acting differently and Seiko didn’t like it.
“Fine! Play by yourself!” Seiko stomps away, crossing her arms as she goes. When she finally hops up on the swing, there’s an older girl on the one next to her.
“Don’t worry. Brothers can be moody sometimes.”
It isn’t the first time someone called them siblings, assuming they were related which usually bothered her because she didn’t think they looked anything alike. But this time, it gave her an idea that she wanted to share with him. Though it would have to wait because she was still mad at him.
* *
January 20, 2026
You and Youta have been sitting across from each at the kitchen table going over the fine details of your divorce for the last half hour. It still feels weird to you, for months the two of you could barely hold a conversation, but within the last few weeks it was as if you were back in college. As if this whole process was the same as a college debate and you both were able to effortlessly keep up the conversation. It was as if when you both accepted the end of your relationship had come, that pressure to make things work, to keep up the facade was gone and you two could breathe again.
It feels weird that 12 years of your life was now simplified into a small stack of papers, that somehow the love that you two had stumbled upon on a college campus was just gone. The same love that brought your beautiful son into the world had somehow vanished without you noticing. Maybe you had noticed, maybe you saw the way Youta’s eyes never stayed focused on you for long, how even when he was there he seemed to be somewhere else. Maybe it was something you had known when the lack of your husband’s touch had stopped bothering you and you’d wish he had stayed out all night rather than stumbling in at 3am just to end up waking you.
Your son walks by the table, going into the kitchen and grabs a snack that he knows he shouldn’t have because it’s almost time for dinner. He tries to walk by you, without a word before you reach out, stopping him.
“Ruki, it’s almost dinner. Let’s wait on the snack, okay?” You say, your tone gentle as you reach out to pull him into a hug. You were used to your son being more reserved than outgoing, he usually preferred to read or draw and always opted to be in the living room so he was around you but could still be alone. But recently you noticed that he preferred spending most of his time alone, if there wasn’t a specific reason to be around you or Youta, he holed up in his room.
“But I don’t want to.” He puts up his arms, pushing away from your embrace before he starts to open the foil package.
“Haruki, I asked you to wait for dinner.” You reach for the package, but he yanks it out of your reach.
“I don’t care!” He shouts, walking back towards his room.
“You need to apologize, Haruki. That’s not how you speak to your mother.” Youta stands up from the table, a serious expression on his face as his words come out steady and firm.
Haruki stops midway down the hall, turning his head slightly to the side and he mumbles an apology, heading back into his room before you or your husband could say anything further.
* *
February 22, 2026
“Hakkun!” Seiko throws her arms around her best friend, squeezing him a bit tighter than usual. She had been talking to her parents about what was going on between you and Youta and when she asked how she could help, they told her just to make sure he knew he was loved.
“Hey Seiko.” He gave her a small smile. You had dropped Haruki off with Bo since you had a job interview and Youta had to travel to Miyagi for a short business trip.
“My daddy said we can watch him practice if we want!” She smiles, taking his hand in hers, “you still wanna play volleyball, right?”
He shrugs, “I guess.”
“Maybe you and Saki-chan could practice together! Uncle Kaashi is gonna teach her!”
Haruki follows her to the top of the bleachers, she swears it’s the best spot to watch, but Haruki would’ve been fine on the first row. Both of them are watching the MSBY team run drills when Seiko screams before turning to Haruki.
Bo immediately starts apologizing to the team who just waved him off, telling him that it’s fine, they love Seiko and the slight distraction was the perfect chance for a small break.
Sakusa’s eye twitches as he glares towards Bokuto, “I really wish she was more like Jess.”
“Seiko is perfect the way she is.” Hinata quickly adds, giving the outside hitter a thumbs up.
“Is she?” Sakusa raises his brows before walking away, leaving both Hinata and Bokuto speechless.
“Speaking of Jess, how is she doing?” Meian jogs over to his teammates, water bottle in hand.
Atsumu cocks his head to the side, curious about his captain's seemingly sudden interest in Jess, but before he can ask, Bokuto begins to tell him that they had just talked earlier that morning and she’s been doing fine.
**
“I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT AN IDEA!” Seiko shouts before Haruki reaches over to cover her mouth with his hand.
“Seiko, inside voice.”
Her cheeks turn red and she gives Haruki her signature sorry smile before waving at her dad telling him the same.
“Sorry, I just got so excited.”
“What did you forget to tell me?”
“Remember when we were at the park and I wanted to swing?”
He just nods, he didn’t like thinking about how mean he had been and what made it worse was when he tried apologizing, Seiko just brushed it off, telling him that it was her fault not his.
“A girl called you my brother.”
“People do that a lot.” Haruki turns his head when he hears the smack of a volleyball, his attention going back to the MSBY practice. It wasn’t anything new for them to be mistaken for siblings even though they didn’t really look anything alike.
“But what if we were siblings?”
“Then one of us would have totally different parents.”
She huffs, annoyed with his attitude, but remembers what her mom said and calms down. “No, I mean what if your mom and my dad got together.”
His head snaps towards the little girl, his attention completely on her. “What?”
“My dad always smiles around your mom.”
“And my mom really likes being around your dad.” He taps his chin with his index finger, thinking. You did seem a bit sadder since he learned his parents were getting a divorce and he knows Uncle Bo makes you laugh a lot. He looks over to Seiko who has a grin on her face, “what did you have in mind?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Seiko leans towards Haruki, cupping her hand and whispering in his ear.
**
“Seiko! Haruki! Get your jackets ready, I’ll be back shortly.” Bo calls up to the two kids who are both smirking.
“Okay Daddy!”
“I’m serious. We have to meet Y/N on time.” He points at his daughter before heading into the locker room, but stops when he hears Jess’s name come up in conversation.
“What yer askin’ about Jess for?” There’s a slight amount of teasing in his curious tone.
“Just making conversation since Sakusa brought her up.” Meian’s almost boring response slightly irks the setter, but the faint blush on his cheeks aren’t lost on Atsumu.
“If yer that worried, I’m sure Bo would give ya her number.” Atsumu raises his eyebrow at his captain who seems to be a bit flustered now.
“I uhm—it’s really fine. I was just making conversation.” Meian shuts his locker a little too hard.
“You’re sure Bo would what?” Bokuto lets his presence known, a puzzled look on his face.
“Invite the team to Seiko’s birthday party, of course.” Atsumu smirks.
“Yeah, of course.” He goes to his locker, grabbing his stuff for a quick shower. It had never crossed his mind before, not that he was opposed to it, but thinking of Jess with someone else left a weird feeling in his chest.
* *
February 27, 2026
“What do you think they are talking about?” You ask Bo, both of you looking at the table next to yours. Despite popular opinion, Bo didn’t take Seiko out for fast food often, but you managed to convince him this one time wouldn’t hurt, so here you all were at McDonald’s much to Bo’s distaste.
Seiko and Haruki are sitting close to each other, hands cupped over their mouths as they whisper to each other, eyes going back and forth between their parents and each other. Both of your children had begged to sit at their own table, claiming they were discussing their next big adventure where no adults were allowed.
Bo shrugs, “probably scheming something or another. Seiko’s birthday is coming up.”
“That’s true. Can you believe they’ll be six this year?”
“Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m a dad.” He laughs.
“Anything special planned?”
He leans over, whispering in your ear, “Jess is coming in, it’s a surprise.” When he sits back up, he sees Seiko giggling before she looks down at her food, almost like she had been caught.
**
“What do you think they are talking about?” Seiko looks over at Haruki when she sees her dad lean over towards you.
“Adult stuff, probably.” Haruki takes a bite of a chicken nugget.
“Haruki, c’mon. We have to think of ways to get them together.” Seiko grabs one of his fries despite his protests.
“Maybe we should ask an adult.” He shrugs, “they’d probably have more experience with this.”
“But who?” She rests her chin on her hand, looking over at her dad who is laughing with you. Her eyes widen along with the smirk on her face, “I know the perfect person.”
* *
February 28, 2026
A yawn comes from the other end of the video call before the lamp on the nightstand flicks on, the once black screen now showing a very sleepy woman, brown hair thrown up in a messy bun.
“Sei…ko? Is everything alright?” She looks at the clock on her nightstand: 4:35am.
“Hey hey hey!” Seiko yells, waking her mother even more. “I have a favor to ask.”
At 4 in the morning? You really are Kotaro’s daughter. “Can it wait until Mommy wakes up, princess?”
Jess already knows by the small pout on her bottom lip that that is just not going to be an option. She sighs in defeat, wondering if she should just get up and get a coffee.
“It’s really important, Momma.”
“What is this favor that simply cannot wait?”
“Haruki and I need help getting Daddy and Y/N together!”
Jess fully supported the idea of Bo and you together, just a few weeks ago she too was advocating for him to tell you of his feelings. But hearing her daughter advocate for the cause left a funny feeling in her chest. She put that feeling to the side, the look on her daughter’s face as she anxiously waited for her answer was enough to take precedence and hearing about the McDonald’s table set-up she had come up with made Jess feel proud. Seiko takes so much after Bo that it’s rare Jess sees herself in her, but when she does, it’s a great feeling.
── A @babythotshq collab “To All the Boys I’ve Loved”
THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL RIVAL
Tsukishima Kei had never imagined that you, his forever rival in high school, would write him a letter confessing your feelings. Does Tsukishima feels the same way?
tw: mentions of breakup, toxic coping mechanisms, drinking/alcohol, mentions of violence (he throws his phone), cursing
Word count: 2.7k
Pairing: Iwaizumi Hajime x gn!reader
Genre: angst, very very mild fluff
AN: There were no such things as happy endings.
Collab Masterlist | Playlist
*Inspired by Same Room by JP Saxe
I watched a TED Talk on our break, He had a smart person accent
He said, "Don't look through the photos", Then I looked through our photos
A haze filtered over his eyes as he stared down at his phone. In the background, sappy love songs played as he ignored the bodies in the room. His fingers itched, tapping on the app. He swiped to the side, tapping on the Hidden from View folder and revealing its haul. Thousands of photos and videos opened on his screen. He tapped on the first one he saw. His heart lurched as he remembered.
Just to spend a couple days with me
You flew halfway 'round the world for me
Iwaizumi was exhausted, feet, knees, and shoulders tired from all the patients he had visited that day. He had been running around the clinic, fetching this and that for Utsui. He slumped against the door as he entered his apartment, sighing heavily. He threw his keys into the bowl by the entrance, letting his bag fall off of his shoulders as he walked into the kitchen. As Iwaizumi turned on the tap, something caught his attention. He froze, staring at the suitcase before he shut off the sink.
“(Name)?” He called, stumbling over his feet as he flew through his apartment.
“Haji!” You squealed, popping up as the door to his bedroom was flung open.
“(Name)!” Iwaizumi stopped, his mouth drying as his heart stuttered as he was rooted in the doorway - shock filling him.
What were you doing here? The last he knew, you had finals that you had to take, projects to finish. You should still be in Tokyo!
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
You grinned at him, standing up and opening your arms to reveal the teal jersey you wore. “I finished my projects and exams early and I figured I’d come surprise you.”
Iwaizumi shook his head, a dopey grin on his face as he ran forward to embrace you, arms wrapping around your waist as he held you to him. “God I’ve missed you so much.”
“Surprise,” you tease, blowing on his ear. “I’ll be here for a few weeks. Try not to miss me too much when I leave though, yeah?”
“Oh baby, I always miss you when you aren’t around.”
Iwaizumi shook his head, the dull ache of the alcohol searing his throat. He swiped through the photos and videos from that trip.
“Oh Haji, look!” You beamed at him, sparkly pink mouse ears perched on your head as you pointed up at the castle. “I can’t believe we’re here right now!”
“I did promise to take you here one day, didn’t I?” Iwaizumi teased, warmth filling his senses.
His thumb was a blur as he swiped through the photos of you and him in front of the castle. He paused, staring at one in particular.
“One day, when I put my ring on your finger, I’ll bring you back here, okay?”
“Haji!” You gasp, giggling. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He squeezed the hand on his waist as he tucked some hair behind your ear. “Gotta make you the happiest person on Earth at the happiest place on Earth.”
“Who are you and what have you done to my brute of a boyfriend?” You tease, shoving his chest slightly.
His heart skipped a beat as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Maybe your brute of a boyfriend didn’t realise how much he’d miss you when you weren’t around.”
You blink up at him with doe-eyes, love and devotion in your eyes only for the spell to be broken by the photographer’s approach.
“Here you go!” He grinned, showing you the camera. He had perfectly captured the heat in your cheeks as Iwaizumi whispered in your ear. The photographer swiped through to the next photo to one of Iwaizumi kissing your forehead. “You’re both such a lovely couple.”
“Thank you,” Iwaizumi replied in perfect English, smiling.
“Enjoy the rest of your day!”
Iwaizumi picked up his glass of scotch, chugging the rest of it as he stared down at his phone. His vision blurred as he proceeded to swipe through.
“What are you doing here, moping by yourself?” Iwaizumi looked up, scowling as Oikawa stood here, a hand on his hip. “And why didn’t you say hi when you got here?”
Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he willed his tears away. “Maybe I didn’t want to see you, Shittykawa. Think about that?”
I strategize a path to the bathroom
So I don’t walk past you
“Is it us you don’t wanna see, or (Name)?”
Mattsun leaned against the table, tilting his glass of whiskey as his eyes fell on someone.
Iwaizumi’s throat constricted as he saw you.
You, in all your angelic beauty, stood with some of your old friends from Seijoh, chatting eagerly. He watched as your plush lips moved, noticed the crinkle of happiness in your face, the way your outfit hugged your body is such a perfect way.
“Didn’t expect to see (Name)?” Oikawa asked, voice soft. He looked over at you, sad for not only his best friend, but also for you. He’d shipped you two the most.
Iwaizumi gulped, shaking his head as he waved at a waiter, getting his glass topped off before downing that. “S’not that.”
“Then what?”
“Gotta go to the bathroom,” Iwaizumi said bluntly, slamming his glass down.
“Go to the one that way,” Mattsun advised, pointing to the left. “(Name) won’t see you if you do that.”
“Thanks,” Iwaizumi grunted.
Make us try to fake our way through
"Hey, how are you?"
Iwaizumi slipped in the direction that Mattsun had pointed in only to accidentally bump into someone’s shoulder. “Iwaizumi.”
Iwaizumi flinched, recognising the all-too familiar voice. “Sawamura? What are you doing here?”
“My partner invited me.”
“Ah.” Iwaizumi’s brow furrowed. He shook his head. “Hope you have fun then, Sawamura.”
“You too, Iwaizumi.”
Iwaizumi swiveled, making his way towards the restroom. He cursed the hall for being so dark as he bumped into another person. “I’m sor-” the words died in his mouth as familiar (e/c) eyes turned to found his.
“Haji.”
The sting of the familiar nickname caused his heart to throb, his stomach churning. “(N-Name),” he stuttered, shock evident in his features.
Weren’t you on the opposite side of the room? How did you get in front of him so quickly?
“H-how are you?”
You smile, shrugging a shoulder. “I’m doing pretty well. How are you? Are you back from California then?”
He gulped, nodding. “Yeah.” He cursed his voice for cracking. “Been back for awhile now.”
“That’s good.” You both stand there awkwardly, staring at each other. Iwaizumi’s throat constricted, words clawing up his throat.
“Listen-”
“Well, it was nice seeing you.” The words caught in his throat as you gave him a small smile. “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. We can catch up or something.”
“Sure,” he choked out, hurt and pain flashing through his eyes.
Why not now?
Wait, was he even ready to have that conversation with you?
“Bye!”
You turn, disappearing back into the crowd to leave him staring blankly at the spot you had just been in. He blinked, shaking his head before he turned back to the direction he had just come from - the urge to use the restroom vanishing along with you.
It's hard to summarize three years
More like four years
With each step, flashbacks ravaged through his mind.
“Hey, (Name), can I talk to you?”
You look up from your lunch, startled. “Oh! Sure thing, Iwaizumi-kun.” You stand up, “I’ll be right back,” you smile at your friends before following the wing-spiker to the vending machines. “What can I do for ya?”
Iwaizumi froze, your dazzling smile freezing him in the spot. He cleared his throat, shaking his head. “Do you wanna go out sometime? Today maybe?”
“Oh!” If it was possible, you grinned brighter. “Sure, I’ve always liked you.”
“Wait, really?”
You nod happily. “Yeah! Ever since we met last year as first years.”
He blinked. “Me too.”
“You liked you since last year?” You put a hand on your hip, a teasing lilt in your voice.
Iwaizumi scowled, “I meant I liked you too. Since last year. Dumbass.”
Your giggle made his heart fluttered. “I know.” You lean up, pressing your lips to his cheek. “See you for our date later then, Iwaizumi-kun!”
He shook his head, cursing his memories.
“Aw, I love you.” His head snapped up, hearing someone’s voice echo those words in a playful, mocking tone.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
You plopped down on the bench beside him, elbowing him. “I’m sorry about the game.”
He shrugged, pulling a hand out of his pocket to grab onto yours. “S’no big deal.”
“It is to you.” You squeezed his hand. “You were amazing out there, Hajime.”
Iwaizumi snorted, shaking his head. “If I was so amazing, why do we lose to Shiratorizawa every time?”
“Mmm, that’s not your fault though,” you pointed out. “And there’s always next tournament. You have time, I believe in you.”
He sighed, shoulders slumped. You look curiously at him. You’d never participated in sports or competitions, not really understanding what it was like to work so hard for something only to be beaten every single time.
“I love you.”
His head snapped up, brows furrowed as his jaw gaped slightly. “Wait what?”
You shrug. “I said I love you.” You squeeze his hand. “I love you, Iwaizumi Hajime and I think you’re the best spiker in the whole wide world!”
He rolled his eyes, shaken out of the spell you’d cast over him. “I love you too, dumbass.” He muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” You tease, blinking at him with those eyes that sparkled like the setting sun.
Iwaizumi cleared his throat, tugging you closer to his side as he rested his chin on your head. “I said I love you too.”
Oh, to hell with all your silver linings
And I'm tempted to distract myself, I'm trying not to
“Iwa-chan, you never call me anymore!” Oikawa’s whiny voice called Iwaizumi to flinch, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation.
“Maybe if you weren’t such an annoying little shit I wouldn’t avoid you,” Iwaizumi growled. He leaned back, throwing his head over the couch.
“You’re so mean,” Oikawa grumbled. “Is this because you broke up with (Name)? Or did they break up with you?”
“Oikawa,” Iwaizumi warned, a sharp tick in his voice. “Don’t go there.”
“Why? Isn’t it better now? You can go pursue your dreams, move to new countries and do whatever you want.”
“I said leave it alone!” Iwaizumi bellowed, hanging up the phone and hurling it away from him. He stood, pacing as anger pulsed through his body. He didn’t need a reminder of how ‘good’ life would be without you. He just wanted you. He wanted to come home to you, wanted to hold you in his arms at the end of every night.
He stalked towards the fridge, throwing it open and reaching for a beer before he paused.
Drowning his sorrows wouldn’t do anything. Wouldn’t change that you were no longer his, and he was no longer yours. With an irritated click of his tongue, he slammed the fridge door shut, leaning his forehead against the cool metal.
He needed a distraction, but not like this. He sighed, peeling one eye open to notice the gym bag peeking around the corner up at him.
Maybe it was time to start working out again.
Internally he laughed. Wasn’t that exactly what he was doing now? Drowning his sorrows with the golden ichor that drove even the most controlled of humans into chaos and sin?
His feet started moving faster and faster, needing to escape from the suffocating weight of his memories. Not now, not in this room where everyone - especially you - could see him.
He didn’t need the world to know that he wasn’t over his ex.
Everyone wants an explanation
And I don't know what to say anymore
He still remembered the first time that people had found out that you’d broken up. The wave of texts that he had gotten when he first posted a photo that didn’t feature you, but featured another girl.
“Hajime, let’s take a photo together!” She pouted, crossing her arms.
He rolled his eyes but allowed her to. She was just a friend, someone he’d met in class. They’d met up at a party and somehow he found himself posing for the photo, letting her throw her arms around his neck as she took the selfie. In his drunken state, he barely noticed the intimacy of it before he posted the photo onto his InstaFeed.
[Oikawa]: Wow, she’s looking close! Won’t (Name) be jealous ;)
[Mattsun]: damnnn, California changed ya, Iwaizumi!
[Makki]: Woof woof! Mind giving me her number?
[Oikawa]: hold on, where are all the pictures of you and (Name)??? Did something happen?
[Makki]: Wait, did you guys break up?
[Mattsun]: whoaaaa, when did this happen?
Iwaizumi shook his head, staring at his InstaFeed before tapping on the archive button and bringing up the hundreds of pictures - the ones that featured you. He stared at your face, tears welling up in his eyes.
[Oikawa]: oi, don’t ignore us
[Iwaizumi]: it’s none of your business. Now fuck off.
He shoved his phone back into his pocket, turning back to the girl as he reached for another beer. He didn’t want to think about this.
Not now.
Not when all he wanted to do was call you.
“What happened between you two?” Oikawa asked, looking down at his best friend as Iwaizumi rejoined them at the table.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Iwaizumi snarled, anger in his features.
“Haji.” Your voice came crisp and clear through his computer as he stared at your face through the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Iwaizumi frowned, hearing the slight tremor in your voice.
“I..I can’t do this anymore.”
“What?”
You swallow, finally meeting his eyes and he noticed how red and swollen they were. “I don’t wanna do this distance thing anymore. You’re doing so many great things and I just...You deserve better.”
“Wait, baby, what are you talking about?”
“Haji, I love you so much,” you force out, giving him a teary smile. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“(Name), wait-”
“Goodbye.”
The beep of Zoom ended the call as Iwaizumi stared in anguish at the screen.
“She didn’t want to try anymore, I guess,” Iwaizumi shrugged. He stared at you for a moment longer.
You looked happier - sounded happier too.
He sighed, sipping from his glass just as he noticed who slipped to your side. A hand settled on your hip, causing you to start before you looked up at the person who the hand belonged to.
He could just imagine your voice - soft and doting as you leaned up to kiss Daichi’s cheek.
At least you found someone close to home, someone who would always be there for you and someone you could depend on.
Iwaizumi turned back to his table, ignoring the pitiful looks from his friends as he sought out the bottom of his glass. He never imagined how badly it would hurt - just how much the smallest glimpse and interaction of you would throw his emotions into turmoil. Another sigh left his lips.
He couldn’t do this any longer.
Couldn’t be in the same room as you.
“I’m leaving,” he announced bluntly, slamming his glass down before grabbing his coat. “I’ll see you guys later.”
In his wake, he felt the heat of your eyes on his back.
Did you still think about him like he thought of you?
Did you feel the same pain that he did when he saw you?
Did you ever think about your relationship with him?
He shook his head, swatting away the malicious thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him. He had to get away, now. There was no more ‘us’ when it came to you, and there never will be. He could only hope that the next time he saw you, he wouldn’t have to run away.
After all, it shouldn’t hurt this badly to be in the same room as you, right?
*****
AN: All I felt was *pain* writing this ahahaha. Hope you enjoyed my addition to this collab!! Please be sure to check-out the rest of the incredible writers of @babythotshq !
“Y/N this is a dumb idea. I already said we could share my switch.” Kenma said as he watched his s/o throw off their winter coat. Y/N merely shook their head and sat themselves down in the snow to pull their boots off.
“Kenma I am naturally warm blooded. A polar plunge is nothing! All I have to do is make it to the buoy and back faster than everyone else and boom! I get a Nintendo Switch for free!” Y/N said as they rolled on the ground trying to pull their boot off. “Can you help me?”
“No I am not helping you get your nasty shoe off of your foot.” Kenma said as he pulled his s/o’s coat around himself. The poor kid was beginning to grow cold even though they’d only been outside for about a half hour and that Kenma was already bundled up like a walking pillow.
With a groan and a sharp yank, Y/N pulled their boot off and sat up with a loud exasperated sigh.
“Kenma I would have appreciated the help! That was exhausting... Please can you try to support me?” Y/N grumbled as they looked at Kenma who was trying to tap buttons with his gloved hands.
“I am not touching your boot.” was all Kenma said as he threw his glove off in annoyance, while continuing to tap away on his PSP. The blips and boops of his character moving around on the screen had Y/N smiling with their eyes as they looked around at the competition. Even if they were smiling with their eyes they wore a frustrated expression on their face.
Surprisingly for such a sweet deal on a Nintendo Switch, there was only a couple handfuls of willing participants who seemed up to the challenge. After all it was only 8:30 in the morning on a frightfully cold winter day.
Kenma had all but protested this entire ordeal but was promptly dragged out of his house kicking and screaming the entire way but Y/N had their ways and now he was sitting on a bench trying to play a game on his PSP while his best friend was ready to throw themselves into a sub zero lake for a brand new Nintendo Switch.
If he wasn’t freezing his rear end off he’d be impressed. But at this point he was ready to climb back into bed, with every blanket that he owned and hide away with his own video games.
Well... Y/N could join him as long as they weren’t wet and brought snacks.
And several extra blankets... The heater in his room was shot to hell after a particularly terrible loss that had him chucking his controller at the heater settings.
Y/N opened their mouth to say something else to Kenma but was interrupted by the tell-tale sign of bad microphone feedback.
“Ladies and Gentlemen! If you are here for our event please make your way towards the docks! We will begin shortly!”
Y/N chucked their boots at Kenma and raced down towards the docks, ready for the event to begin. Kenma had only agreed to come with them after they had promised to chase Kuroo off and keep him company for the next three weeks.
But in reality, Y/N wanted Kenma to come with them because they wanted to spend time with the boy outside of video game dates and movie nights even though Kenma was incredibly reclusive and shy.
Y/N had only known Kenma for a few years or so but his shyness only made them want to know him more. So for their entire 2nd and 3rd years of high school, Y/N had stuck to the setter like glue and only left his side when they absolutely had too. Even now after graduation, Y/N freed their weekends to hang out with the short cat like boy. Afterall it only made sense that a person try to spend as much time with their crush without giving it away.
That’s why Y/N had entered this competition. One because it was the holidays and donating money was very charitable, and two Kenma had been complaining about his switch which he’d had for years and this was going to be his Christmas gift.
Well that and one other thing...
“Hey! Y/N!”
They were pulled from their thoughts when a bright head of red bounded over to them equally as undressed down to his swimsuit.
“Oh hey Tendou! Are you here for the Polar Plunge too?” Y/N asked earning herself a happy nod from the loud red.
“Yes I am! And I’m going to win!” Tendou said as he struck a Sailor Moon style pose. Y/N laughed and gently pushed his shoulder.
“You are such a dork.” Y/N chuckled as the announcer tapped his finger on the microphone calling all the particpants to give him their attention.
“Welcome to the Polar Plunge Tokyo 2020! We here at Nintendo are excited to sponsor the Joy to The Children fundraiser that will use our entry fees to purchase toys for children in need! As promised the winner of today’s event will not only have 200,000 yen donated in their name, they will also receive a limited edition Nintendo Switch!”
A resounding cheer from the participants encouraged the announcer to continue.
“Yes yes! It’s quite an event today! Now a few rules before we begin the plunge! At the sound of the buzzer you will all jump into the water and begin your swim to the buoy and back! Make sure that you’ve stripped to your swimsuit as wearing heavy clothing will drag you down!
Y/N and Tendou moved over along with the other participants and got ready to dive in. It was crowded and the heat from everyone’s nearly frozen bodies was like that of the penguins in Antarctica. All huddling together with backs turned to the wind which didn’t help at all.
Tendou being the playful friend he was to Y/N, started to poke the smaller of the two in the sides trying to rile them up. The little spots caused Y/N to giggle loudly
“Tendou I swear to god I will not hesitate to judo throw you into the water.” Y/N gasped as they held their sides trying not to fall off of the dock and disqualify them before the competition started. Kenma who was watching from the sidelines in the blanket burrito that Y/N had so lovingly wrapped him up in, scowled slightly as he watched the former Shiratorizawa middle blocker poke and prod at Y/N.
It irked him that Y/N was down there clad only in their swimsuit and surrounded by people who could have fun and withstand the cold. It irked him because Y/N probably wanted to hang out with someone who wasn’t always holed up in his room and could give them the attention they craved. They had been friends for years and while he struggled with expressing his care for them, Kenma assumed that they knew how much he liked them.
He huffed in annoyance and tried to bury himself in his game to ignore the happy laughter that he wasn’t giving Y/N. A part of him felt guilty for ignoring them when they supported him so much but he just wanted to go home and lay underneath the blankets with them.
It was too cold. He was bored. And what’s worse Y/N was having fun without him...
‘Oh’ his brain thought. ‘Oh this is what feeling left out is like...’
Kenma sighed and put his game back inside of the backpack that Y/N had brought. As he put the switch away he noticed that Y/N had packed his favorite snacks and somehow had put a very pretty piece of pie inside of some Tupperware.
He started to eat the pie as he listened to the buzzer send the participants off into the water. Kenma soon lost track of Y/N in the water as he continued to eat his pie. While Y/N had never been a volleyball fan, they where a prominent swimmer. Kenma had no doubt that Y/N would win since he’d seen her many many trophies at their house and medals from their meets.
The loudness of the crowds cheers was starting to hurt his ears but he had to stay because he’d promised Y/N albeit grudgingly that he would try to have fun and support them.
In the water, Y/N was beaming despite holding their breath as they pushed off from the halfway point. The icy burn shrouding their body only pushed them to swim faster. Looking back slightly, Y/N saw the closing gap in between them and the second group of people.
It was nearing the end of the course and the finish line was dead ahead! Y/N pushed themselves to extend just a little more, to kick their feet with a little more power.
Which each kick and with each crawl, the distance between them and the shoreline was growing smaller and smaller. Y/N pushed themsleves to the limit and crashed into the dock. Within a minute, they had pulled themselves up onto the dock and a resounding cheer broke out. Y/N was quickly covered in a towel and their hand was gripped by the announcer.
“Congratulations to our first place winner... What’s your name?”
“It’s Y/N!”
“Y/N ladies and gentlemen!!!”
Kenma watched as Y/N was taken to a tent where he presumed they would receive their prize and get something to warm them up. He in turn packed up their belongings and started walking towards the tent still bundled up.
Y/N had been given several blankets and was talking to the host of the event when he walked in. Looking over at the person who had just walked in, Y/N smiled when they realized it was Kenma.
“Kenma! I won! I told you I would!” Y/N called out to him as they beckoned him over. Kenma didn’t know how else to show that he was proud of his best friend so he gave them a gentle pet on their soaking hair.
“I’m proud of you. Can we go home please? I have something to tell you.” he whispered slightly hoping that his pets where conveying the affection he was able to create. Feelings...
After receiving a nod from Y/N, Kenma went back outside and slumped back on a bench. Instead of pulling his switch out he started to fidget with his fingers and think about what he would say to Y/N.
Looking back at what they had said earlier and how disappointed they had seemed when he was merely indifferent towards their actions struck a chord with him. In high school, they had kept him company when Kuroo could not and even when he could. Y/N was special to him...
He should have been more excited for them and their accomplishment today.
So he would do that now.
Y/N came stumbling out of the tent a few moments later dressed in warm clothing, new Nintendo Switch in hand and a beam on their face. Kenma in turn smiled at this as well. They always looked so nice with a smile. As they walked Kenma was itching to hold Y/N’s hand and tried to subtly grab it. However he merely brushed it several times.
But it still made him flutter.
Oh hey wait Y/N is talking you should probably pay attention... his brain intruded and Kenma barely caught the end of the sentence.
“Right?”
“Huh?”
“I said your head pets where from a place of happiness right? You were affectionate so I assumed you cared that I won right?” Y/N said as they slipped their free hand into Kenma’s own causing his brain to malfunction.
“I-yes.”
“Good I’m glad Kenma. By the way..”
Y/N trailed off and pushed the brand new switch into Kenma’s hands and placed a gentle kiss on the smaller boy’s forehead.
“Merry Christmas Kenma. From my heart to yours.” Y/N whispered leaning their head against his in a loving manner. Kenma who was mostly frozen, swallowed and gave their arm a gentle pet again.
“Merry Christmas Y/N. Let’s go home before you get sick.” He cooed taking their had once more. If Y/N got sick he’d take care of them forever just like they had for him.
I really hope you enjoyed it! I’ve never written for Kenma before and I pulled some of my own experiences from being in the cold and wanting nothing more than to go home and sleep! I hope it was sweet enough for you I struggled a bit with the fluffiness so it may come across as more platonic than I meant it to be.
But it’s Christmas and New Years so...
BONUS!
Y/N sneezed violently with their hot water pack flying off of their head and the pillow falling to far behind their back. Kenma was in the kitchen when he heard the sick cries of Y/N and hurried to their rescue.
“Kedba!!! By piddow fell.” Y/N whined as they shivered under the five throw blankets and two comforters that Kenma had set up on his bed. In the background the Polar Express was playing and the Hot Chocolate scene had just ended. Kenma sighed and ran his fingers through their hair as he repositioned the pillow and handed them a thermos of hot chocolate.
“Is this better?”
“Bery much. Dank you.” Y/N said with a smile underneath their cherry red nose. Kenma nudged the empty tissue boxes and discarded pie tins away from his spot on the bed and snuggled into Y/N’s side. If he got sick it would be fine.
They’d just call Kuroo and blame him for telling Y/N about the Polar Plunge anyway.
